Britney Spears got a double dose of reality yesterday when a Los Angeles judge shunned the troubled singer's request to see her two children.

In yet-another closed court hearing, Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon ruled that the previous custody order - which sees Kevin Federline maintain full custody of Sean Preston, 2 and Jayden James, 1 – be upheld until the next scheduled hearing. 

The Gimme More singer's legal team also failed in their bid for a media gagging order on the troubled star's custody battle.

According to the 26-year-old’s attorney Anne Kiley, the media coverage of Spears' custody woes is "emotionally and physically" dangerous for the singer.

However Gordon quickly declined Kiley's request for a ban on attorneys discussing the case with reporters.

"The concern really is the conduct of the photographers,” said Gordon. “That's a law enforcement issue and an issue for the kind gentlemen and ladies of the press to deal with appropriately.

"The concern you have is a real one. But it should be dealt with without infringing on the First Amendment."

Neither Spears nor Federline were in court for the hearing.